USPTO Patents Application 09756925

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS :

1. A composite material comprising a thermoplastic hydrophilic matrix and
a liquid active ingredient dispersed in a oil-in-water emulsion, wherein
the liquid active ingredient forms inclusions in the matrix of very fine
and uniformly distributed droplets.

2. A composite material according to claim 1 wherein the inclusions have
a droplet size of between 0.01 to 2 p,m.

3. A composite material according to claim 2 wherein the inclusions have
a droplet size of between 0.05 |am and 1 urn.

4. A composite material according to claim 1 wherein a load of the active
ingredient in the composite material is between 1 to 50 % w/w.

5. A composite material according to claim 5 wherein a load of the active
ingredient in the composite material is between 5 to 15% w/w.

6. A composite material according to claim 1 wherein the active ingredient
is selected from the group consisting of a flavor compound, an extract,
a precursor or a composition containing a flavor compound, and
mixtures thereof.

7. A composite material according to claim 1 wherein the active ingredient
is selected from the group consisting of a fragrance, a fragrance
precursor, an odor masking agent, and mixtures thereof.

8. A composite material according to claim 1 wherein the active ingredient
is a compound with biological activity.

9. A composite material according to claim 8 wherein the compound with
biological activity is selected from the group consisting of a
pharmaceutical^ active substance, an insect repellent, a bactericide, a
fungicide, an accaricide and mixtures thereof.

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10.

A composite material according to claim 1 further comprising a second
active ingredient dispersed in the emulsion.

11. A method for preparing a composite material comprising:

(a) mixing a liquid active ingredient in a oil-in-water emulsion with a
matrix premix comprising a thermoplastic hydrophilic polymer;
and

(b) extruding the mixture of (a) to form a composite material
comprising a thermoplastic hydrophilic polymer matrix with the
liquid active ingredient dispersed as inclusions of very fine and
uniformly distributed droplets in the matrix.

12. A method according to claim 11 further comprising introducing the
mixture of (a) into an extruder before extrusion.

13. A method according to claim 11 further comprising introducing the oil-
in-water emulsion into a barrel of an extruder, which barrel contains the
matrix premix, and mixing the emulsion droplets with the matrix premix.

14. A method according to claim 1 1 wherein a polymeric fraction comprises
50% w/w to 100% w/w of the matrix premix.

15. A method according to claim 11 wherein the oil-in-water emulsion
contains 5 to 80% w/w active ingredients, 10 to 90% w/w water, 0.5 to
10% w/w emulsifier, and 0 to 10% w/w additives.

16. A method according to claim 11 wherein the oil-in-water emulsion
contains 30 to 60% w/w active ingredients, 1 5 to 40% w/w water, 0.5 to
10% w/w emulsifier, and 0 to 10% w/w additives.

17. A method according to claim 1 1 wherein the matrix premix comprises a
hydrophilic thermoplastic polymer and an additive.

18. A method according to claim 17 wherein the hydrophilic thermoplastic
polymer is selected from the group consisting of native starch, modified

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starch, thermoplastic starch, polyvinyl alcohol, its copolymers, and
polyesters.

19. A method according to claim 17 wherein the additive is selected from
the group consisting of crosslinking agents, piasticizers,

5 antiplasticizers, fillers, and mixtures thereof.

20. A method according to claim 11 wherein the oil-in-water emulsion
further comprises an emulsifier and a surfactant.

21 . A method according to claim 20 wherein the emulsifier is selected from
the group consisting of a modified starch, a sucrose or sorbitol ester of

10 a fatty acid, a carbohydrate, a phospholipid, and mixtures thereof.

22. A method according to claim 20 wherein the surfactant is selected from
the group consisting of a monomolecular surfactant, a polymeric
surfactant, and a colloid stabilizer.

23. A method according to claim 20 further comprising a co-surfactant.

15 24. A method according to claim 23 wherein the co-surfactant is a primary
alcohol or a short chain alkylsulfate.

25. A protective or controlled release system for an active ingredient
comprising a composite material comprising a thermoplastic hydrophilic
matrix and an active ingredient dispersed in a oil-in-water emulsion

20 wherein the active ingredient forms inclusions of very fine and

uniformly distributed droplets in the matrix.

26. A protective or controlled release system according to claim 25 wherein
the active ingredient is a flavor or a fragrance.

27. A protective or controlled release system according to claim 26 wherein
25 the composite material comprising a fragrance as the active ingredient

is incorporated into a consumer product selected from the group
consisting of a dry detergent, a household product, and a cosmetic.

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